MYP 5 Science- Year 10 Summative: Criteria B and C

NAME: Natsumi Mochizuki

TEACHER: Mr. Anil

LAB TITLE: Light Intensity vs. Rate of Photosynthesis

UNIT/TOPIC: Life is beautiful

DATE: 10/14

Summative Assessment:  Criteria B and C

In this unit so far, we have been exploring the Photosynthesis and Nutrition.

In this summative lab experiment you are going to design and carry out an experiment based on the
content covered to date. You will be investigating the factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.

MYP Step-by-Step Lab Guide. Use this guide for each step in the process of creating a formal MYP Lab
Report.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Npp5QWT_ZJzNJHag-uL-87nsm-7svcM1nyHryRG8J18/edit?usp=shari
ng

Enter your Individual Research Question and initial planning with link to your Google Doc lab report here. –

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1at69jpXCw7BzyOklf8uVleKzcqWk1WfFQ8X7qrwA66Y/edit?usp=sh
aring

Explore the Exemplar Lab Report here. EXEMPLAR –

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-J54_c49x2lG4QrilmIGmSB1Ps9TalCK/view?usp=sharing

Use the guidance in this presentation to assist you in developing a well designed and executed scientific
investigation http://bit.ly/2KQ3IuF

Monday, November 1st - Summative Criteria B+C Lab Report is handed in a printed hard copy in class as well
as a pdf through Managebac

Criterion B: Inquiring and designing

At the end of the year you should be able to:
i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation
ii. formulate a testable hypothesis and explain it using scientific reasoning
iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how data will be collected
iv. design scientific investigations.

Strand i Strand ii Strand iii Strand iv

 explain how to design a logical,
formulate and
manipulate the complete and safe
explain a problem or explain a testable
variables, and explain method in which he
question to be tested by a hypothesis using
Level 7-8 how sufficient, or she selects
scientific investigation correct scientific
relevant data will be appropriate
reasoning
collected materials and
equipment.

describe a problem or
question to be tested by a
Level 5-6
scientific investigation
describe how to
formulate and manipulate the design a complete
and safe method in
explain a testable variables, and
which he or she
hypothesis using describe how
selects appropriate
scientific reasoning sufficient, relevant
data will be collected materials and
equipment.

outline a problem or
question to be tested by a
Level 3-4 scientific investigation
outline how to
formulate a testable manipulate the design a safe method
hypothesis using variables, and outline in which he or she
scientific reasoning how relevant data selects materials and
will be collected equipment.

state a problem or question

outline a testable
to be tested by a scientific outline the variables design a method,
Level 1-2 hypothesis
investigation with limited success.

Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating

At the end of the year you should be able to:
i. Present collected and transformed data
ii. Interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning
iii. Evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of the scientific investigation
iv. Evaluate the validity of the method
v. Evaluate improvements or extensions to the method

Strand i Strand ii Strand iii Strand iv Strand v

correctly accurately
evaluate the evaluate the explain
collect, interpret data
validity of a validity of the improvements or
organize, and explain
hypothesis based method based on extensions to the
transform and results using
Level 7-8 on the outcome the outcome of a method that
present data in correct
of a scientific scientific would benefit the
numerical and/or scientific
investigation investigation scientific
visual forms reasoning
investigation.
 correctly accurately discuss the discuss the describe
collect, organize interpret data validity of a validity of the improvements or
and present data and explain hypothesis based method based on extensions to the
Level 5-6 in numerical results using on the outcome the outcome of a method that
and/or visual scientific of a scientific scientific would benefit the
forms reasoning investigation investigation scientific
investigation.

outline the outline the outline

correctly collect accurately validity of a validity of the
and present data improvements or
interpret data hypothesis based method based on extensions to the
in numerical
Level 3-4 and explain on the outcome the outcome of a method that
and/or visual
results of a scientific scientific would benefit the
forms
investigation investigation scientific
investigation.

state the
Collect and state the validity validity of the
present data in of a hypothesis method based on state
interpret data based on the improvements or
Level 1-2 numerical and/or the outcome of a
visual forms outcome of a scientific extensions to the
scientific investigation method.
investigation

Command Terms
State: Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.
Describe: Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern, or process.
Outline: Give a brief account or summary.
Present: Offer for display, observation, examination, or consideration
Discuss: Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses.
Evaluate: Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations

Tips for success Criterion B/C:

Achievement Tips for Success

Level
 7-8 ❏ Introduction to the experiment present and detailed.
❏ Give a detailed account of an aim that includes the independent and dependent
variables (this can be in the form of a question)
❏ Express precisely and systematically and give a detailed account of the relevant
concepts or arguments of your Hypothesis.
❏ Scientific reasoning to justify hypothesis has to be valid and correct.
❏ Give a detailed account of the independent variable and the range of values that will
be used.
❏ Give a detailed account of the dependent variable and what is used to collect data.
❏ Give a detailed account of the control variables that will have the most impact on
quality data collection will be identified.
❏ Reasoning as to why these controlled variables should be kept constant is explained
in detail.
❏ How controlled variables will be kept constant is explained in detail.
❏ Produce a plan to collect data that is logical and well ordered.
❏ Plan allows for sufficient data to be collected to explore the hypothesis.
❏ Plan is practical and could cause no safety issues for experimenter or observers.
❏ Plan explains all scientific equipment is used and for which purpose.  (e.g. Measure
150mL of water using a graduated measuring cylinder).
❏ Plan explains how all essential controlled variables will be kept constant.
❏ Repeats the process with different independent variables

❏ Table has a title explaining the data recorded in it.

❏ Table is neatly drawn with straight lines
❏ Table is organized in way that is easy to read and understand
❏ Data is recorded in table and is easy to read.
❏ Outliers are excluded and trails are done until there are at least three similar values.
❏ Clear evidence of processing data (label/title explaining what calculation is done)
❏ Processed data is summarised in a new table, with title, labels
❏ Graph takes up most of the page
❏ Graph neat and tidy
❏ Axis go up in equal increments
❏ Labels on graph have appropriate units
❏ Graph has an appropriate title, labeled axis
❏ Plots are crosses not dots and accurately plotted
❏ Line of best fit drawn correctly (linear or curved)
❏ Interpretation of data is consistent with graph
❏ Detailed explanation of scientific reasoning for trend is correct.
❏ Justifies the conclusion in terms of the processed data linking it to the purpose of the
investigation
❏ Discusses possible sources of error from the method.
❏ Explains the possible effects on the data\
❏ Describes, in detail, at least four suggestions to improve investigation that results in
a clear and logical improvement to the experiments results.

Name: Natsumi Mochizuki

Lab Title: Light Intensity vs. Rate of Photosynthesis

Introduction: Add introduction of concept/ background information here. What would your peers need to
know to understand your investigation?

Plants go through a process of photosynthesis to transform the light they absorb into usable chemical energy.
There are a few factors which can affect the rate of photosynthesis, such as the surface area of the plant, the
temperature, or the type of plant. In this experiment, we will be testing how the rate of photosynthesis is
affected by the light intensity.
How the light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis is because the amount of photons, which are small
packets of light, hitting the surface of the leaf increases as the light intensity increases, thus quickening the
process. But when the light intensity exceeds a certain point, it will damage the leaf by burning them, similar to
human sunburns, therefore decreasing the rate of photosynthesis.
To test if this, we will have an aquatic plant elodea placed in a beaker with water inside, exposed to a lightstand.
The watt of the light bulb will be changed as the watt is the amount of energy used to produce a certain
brightness of a light bulb (SEPCO). The higher the watt, the more intense the light is, and the lower the the less
intense of a light the plant is exposed to. As we proceed this, we will record the number of bubbles the plant
produces, as the chemical equation of photosynthesis 6CO3 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6+9O2 suggests, in the process
of photosynthesis, the plant will not only produce glucose, but also oxygen alongside it.

Independent variable (variable that you are changing):

Watts of the light
What five different values/types of your independent variable are you going to use?
0, 40, 100, 150, 200

The dependent variable (variable you are measuring):

The number of bubbles produced.
What is the unit of measurement for your dependent variable?
Number of bubbles produced.
What equipment will you use to measure it?
No equipment necessary

Hypothesis: What is your prediction for what is going to happen and why do you think that (scientific
reasoning)
The light intensity will have an affect on the rate of photosynthesis. It is predicted that as the light intensity
reaches 40 watts, elodea will start producing some bubbles as the aquatic plant is not a very light hungry plant
although it is also reliant on lights. So with a small level of wattage, it will still photosynthesis. It was said in
the care guide of elodea written by Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories, one of the largest providers for
educational materials that the elodea is kept at the temperature of 10-21℃, while 40 watts bulb emits 46℃
which is more than half of what is stated in the guide (LedsMaster). But the duration of light exposure is not the
same as the time stated in the guide which is 10-12 hours, therefore is not too hot for the light to damage the
plant as we are only exposing it for 60 seconds, which is 600 or 720 times less than the said time. At 200 watts
the rate of photosynthesis will most likely be the most intense considering the very short time the plant is being
exposed to the light.
Brainstorm:
Controlled variables- What other variables do you think are important in this investigation and will
have to be controlled to make it a fair test?
Variable to be How each variable will be kept the
controlled same, measured or controlled.
Temperature of the Each time the experiment is carried out,
room. the temperature will be maintained the
same and no one will be allowed to
change the temperature of the air
conditioner.
Time of light The time the plant is exposed to the light
exposure. bulb will be measured with a stopwatch.
We will expose the plant to the light for
60 seconds.
Type of plant. To make sure the type of plant we are
using each experiment is the same, we
will simply use the same plant each
experiment.
Why (scientific reasoning) is it
important to control these variables?
The temperature of the environment often
affects the rate of any chemical reaction. It
is said that the higher the temperature, the
faster the rate of photosynthesis will be,
and the lower, the less efficient the process
will be. This is because the enzymes
which carry out this process do not
operate properly at lower
temperature(Markings).
If in one trial, the plant is exposed to the
light for a longer time, that plant will
certainly have more chance of producing
more bubbles as it is absorbing the
photons for a longer amount of time. Thus
each trial, the plant should be exposed to
the light bulb for the same amount of time.
If the plant is different, it’s physical
properties would be different too. If one
plant has bigger leaves, that plant will
obviously have a greater rate of
photosynthesis, as it will collect more

Wavelength of the White bulb will be used as it is a mix of
light bulb. all the seven colors in a wavelength. To
make sure we are using the same colored
light bulb, we will use the same one light
bulb for every trial.
Size of plant. Similar to the type of plant, we will
simply use the same plant each
experiment we do.
Distance between The distance of the light stand and the
container and light container will be measured with a ruler.
bulb. We will keep the distance of 19cm
between them.
Equipment: List the equipment you will need for this experiment.
100mL beaker, 80mL water, elodea, light stand able to control the level of watt, white light bulb, ruler,
timer.
photons at once. Therefore the type of
plant must be kept the same.
There are 7 different wavelengths in the
order of roygbiv, red as the strongest
wavelength. The lighter the pigment, the
more light is available for photosynthesis.
Thus, the wavelength of the light bulb
must be kept the same.
If in one of the trials, the size of the plant
is bigger than the rest, that means it has a
greater surface area of leaf and will collect
more photons at once. So automatically,
the rate of photosynthesis for that plant
will be greater, hence the size of the plant
should be kept the same.
If the distance between the light bulb and
the container that contains the elodea
changed every time, than the result would
be inaccurate because if the light bulb is
too close to the plant, the photons won’t
be distributed evenly, and if too far, than it
would take more distance for the photons
to travel to the leaf. Therefore, the
distance between the container and the
light bulb must be always kept the same.
 Method: Write Step by Step instructions for what you are going to do and how you are going to safely
collect enough relevant data in this experiment.  Make sure that a grade seven student could follow it so it
needs to have a lot of detail! Hint: Command, descriptor (qualifier) e.g. Use a measuring cylinder to
measure 100 mL of acid.’

1. With a 100mL beaker, place an elodea inside. Fill it with 80mL of water.
2. Place the front edge of your light stand 19cm away from the beaker.
3. Set the timer at 60 seconds, and set the light bulb as 40W, but with the light turned off.
4. Right as the light is turned on, start your timer so the time exposure is as accurate as possible.
5. After the timer is started, start counting the number of bubbles the elodea produces.
6. After the timer rings, turn off your light bulb.
7. Record the number of bubbles produced.
8. Do at least 3 trials for the same independent variable so you can calculate the average later on.
9. After 3 or more trials for the same watts, go on to the next level of watts, and repeat step 3 - 8 but
with the number of watts you are testing now.

Draw a table to present the data you are going to collect:

How does Light Intensity Affect the Rate of Photosynthesis?

Numbers of bubble (per 60 sec)

Watts (W)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

0 0 0 0 0

40 0 2 0 0.6666666667

100 0 0 1 0.3333333333

150 2 2 0 1.333333333

200 2 2 4 2.666666667

Processed Data: Show any math that you did to process/transform your data. You do not need to show each
one, just a sample of what you did.

Calculation for trial average:

Eg 1. 40W: (0+2+0)=0.6666666667
Eg 2. 100W: (0+0+1)=0.3333333333

Calculation of average per second:

Eg 1. 40W: 0.6666666667/60=0.01111111111
Eg 2. 100W: 0.3333333333/60=0.00555555555

Quantitative Data:
Table Title: The Average Numbers of Bubbles Produced Per Second and Per Minute Affected by the Wattage
Independent 0 40 100 150 200
variable:
Watts (W)

Average 0 0.7 0.3 1.3 2.7

dependent
variable (rounded
to the tenths):
Number of
bubbles produced
(per 60 sec)
Average 0 0.01 0.005 0.02 0.04
dependent
variable (rounded
to one significant
number):
Number of
bubbles produced
(per sec)

Qualitative Data:
As the watt of the light bulb increased, it was seen that the amount of bubbles produced increased. But at 100W,
it produced less bubbles than 40W.

Using your processed data, draw a graph of your results.

Please attach the graph to the back of this booklet.

Table Title: How Does Light Intensity Affect the Rate of Photosynthesis?
Conclusion:

Use CER to help write your conclusion in one or more paragraphs.

o Make a CLAIM about your original problem.

▪ State whether your hypothesis was supported (true) or refuted (false) based on your data
analysis.
o Provide EVIDENCE (your data) for the claim. (your data)
▪ State and explain observations, trends or patterns that you observed from your data.
o Provide REASONING that links the evidence (data) and your claim.

Prior to the experiment, it was hypothesized that the light intensity will affect the rate of photosynthesis.
I claimed that at 40 watts, the elodea would start photosynthesizing, and would produce the most amount of
bubbles at 200 watts. My hypothesis was supported after the experiment was carried out. Referring to the
presented datas above, it shows when the watt reached 40, the plant did produce an average of 0.7 bubbles per
minute, and when it reached 200 watts the aquatic plant subsequently produced the most amount of bubbles
which is 2.7 bubbles per minute. Although at the level of 100 watt, the number of bubbles produced decreased
from 0.7 to 0.3 per minute, it still means that the rate of photosynthesis was somehow affected to decrease. And
the trendline shows that the overall increase in watt does have an effect on the rate of photosynthesis. Therefore
validating the statement in the hypothesis that the light intensity will have an affect on the rate of
photosynthesis.
From the datas collected, there are certain patterns and trends which can be observed. At 0 watt the
elodea does not produce any bubbles, but from 40 to 200 watts, the elodea produces at least 1 bubbles if the
numbers were to be rounded to ones. But from 40 to 100 watts there is a decline of 0.4 in the average amount of
bubbles produced per minute, and from 100 watts to 200 watts, the number of bubbles produced starts
increasing again. From 100 to 200 watts there is an increase of at least 1 in the amount of bubbles produced per
minute. Precisely, from 100 to 150 watts, the number of bubbles produced increases by 1, and from 150 to 200,
it increases by 1.4. This pattern shows how there is a sudden decrease in the numbers of bubbles produced from
40 to 100 watts and how the rate of photosynthesis is the most intense at 100 to 200 watts.
Although it is understandable why there was an overall increase in the numbers of bubbles produced as
the watts increased, there was no perfectly fitting reasoning for why there was a decrease in the amount of
bubbles produced from 40 to 100 watts. But it is most likely caused by some human error made in the process
of the experiment and if not, coincidental. If the elodea was to be exposed to 150-200 watts of light bulb for a
long period of time, the plant would convert the excess of light into energy, and to dissipate this heat, it would
use the available water, and exhaust itself out(Smart Garden Guide); or would most likely be affected by the heat
that the light bulb is emitting, as 150 watt is 121 celsius which is way too hot for a plant. In our experiment, the
plant is being exposed to the light for only 6o seconds, saving the plant from being damaged and simply helping
the elodea to produce more energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, and produce
more bubbles.
In conclusion, as the hypothesis mentioned, the elodea will start producing bubbles at 40 watts, and as
the watts increases, it will most likely produce more bubbles unless human errors are made in the procedure of
the experiment. And in reality, 150 - 200 watts will most likely damage the plant if exposed to it for too long,
but in this experiment where the plant is exposed to the light for only a minute, worked to support the statement
that the light intensity will have an affect on the rate of photosynthesis.

Work Cited:

LedsMaster. “What Is Light Bulb Heat Temperature Chart? - How Hot Can a Light Bulb Be?” LedsMaster LED

Lighting, LedsMaster, www.ledsmaster.com/what-is-light-bulb-heat-temperature-chart.html.

Markings, Samuel. “The Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Photosynthesis.” Sciencing, 9 Mar. 2018,

sciencing.com/effect-temperature-rate-photosynthesis-19595.html.

Science Kit. “Elodea.” Science Kit.

SEPCO. “Wattage vs Lumens: Know the Difference for Better Lighting.” Sepco-Solarlighting.com, 2014,

www.sepco-solarlighting.com/blog/wattage-vs-lumens-know-the-difference-for-better-lighting.

Smart Garden Guide. “Can Plants Get Too Much Light?” Smart Garden Guide, smartgardenguide.com, 9 Feb.

2020, smartgardenguide.com/can-plants-get-too-much-light/.

Evaluation:

Explanation of aspects of my method that would Explanation of aspects of my method that would
have caused me to get accurate results. have caused me to get accurate results.

By using the same elodea for all the experiments,
bothe the type of plant and the size of plant was
controlled, successfully preventing me from the plant
having bigger surface area or having more
chlorophylls than other ones and creating an
imbalance and inaccuracy in my results.
The distance and the time that must be controlled was
measured properly with a ruler and a timer on the
phone. For the distance, a line was drawn to indicate
the 19cm length so there is no need to bring the ruler
each time and simply use that line. With these two
variables properly controlled, the chance of having
any of the plants absorb more light than the other or
the or less was prevented.

Aspects of my method that could have caused me Improvements or extensions to my method that
to get inaccurate results. would benefit my investigation.
The distance between the beaker and the light stand
was properly measured by the ruler, but only a single
line was drawn to indicate the distance. This might
have caused a change in the angle the light bulb is
facing causing the plants to have either less or more
surface area covering the plant on the second day of
experiment.
On the second day of the experiment, the temperature
of the room wasn’t checked if it is the same as the first
day of the experiment. This may be the reason why
the rate of photosynthesis was so much higher from
100 to 200 watts, causing an imbalance in the data for
0-40 watts, and 100-200 watts.
The rushed planning and time management is the
overall factor that caused me to make the above
human errors. If the experiment was planned out more
thoroughly and conducted without any rush, it is
likely such human error wouldn’t have been made.
But with the lack of time provided, and with the
panicked state of mind, the whole process was
hastened without proper planning and management,
therefore we weren't able to prevent a simple error.
Write a ✔ to show how you think you did on this assessment and write a short explanation for your
answer.
Criterion Beginner Learner Practitioner
B: Inquiring and ✔ I think the experiment was a little bit
designing
C: Processing and ✔ I think I did quite well on this part
evaluating
To fix this problem, if I were to do this experiment
again, I will draw a line indicating exactly where the
light stand was placed so that there is no change in the
direction of the light.
To fix this problem, next time the experiment is
conducted, I will properly check the temperature of
the room each time and make sure the same
temperature is maintained.
To prevent such mistakes next time even in similar
situations, I will practice myself to calm down and
improve my time management skills, so the time I
have and the amount of work given to match properly
so I don’t overwork myself or cut corners for any of
the other assignments I have.
Expert Explanation
rushed with a lot of other assignments
happening at the same time, and the
experiment wasn’t planned as
thoroughly as I usually would. And
when the experiment was conducted, it
was also rushed because we wanted to
collect datas of 3 trials for all 5
independent variables and so not all
controlled variables were maintained
properly.
utilizing my knowledge on this topic as
well as my research skills, except the
fact that I couldn’t quite explain why
there was a sudden increase from 40 to
100 but to reason it with human error.
But to reach an expert level. And
although I did my best, with more time,
I know that I can produce better work. I
think it is generally very difficult so I
confined myself from choosing expert.